169; Returns

[thieveryofstars]

[OOC: Dated AFTER the end of the Belldandy plot.]

To anyone who lost something important to them:

Your things aren't gone. You can find them inside the bank vault. It was necessary to make it look like they'd been destroyed, but they're not.

...

Yeah.

[Screened to Persephone]Sorry for keeping you in the dark about everything. I can come back

Comments

Voice reply - Pissed!Atem is pissed

[queenofgames]

You are a louse.

( voice | tired )

[thieveryofstars]

I know.

Voice reply - so very ticked

[queenofgames]

What possessed you?!

( voice | tired )

[thieveryofstars]

I don't have any excuses, Atem. I did it because it needed to be done, because it was something I could do to help.

Voice reply - annoyed

[queenofgames]

And just how did taking people's stuff and pretending it was destroyed help?! You've set half the damn compound against you!

Re: Voice reply - annoyed

[thieveryofstars]

Because Belldandy wanted proof, that I was up to playing at her level. She didn't trust me but she gave me one chance, and I had to make it count. And with that chance I was able to get the others an extra card up their sleeve.

That's all that matters.

I'm not the same person you met almost two years ago, Atem. Back then I would've scoffed at the idea of a council, not participated in it. And back then I would've been far more upset by people being angry with me... than I would've been relieved, like I am now. Because it worked, and you're all safe, and that's more important. So you can be pissed off but safe, and I'm okay with that.

Voice reply - confused

[queenofgames]

What's Belldandy got to do with all this? Playing at her level?

Re: Voice reply - confused

[thieveryofstars]

Belldandy kidnapped Skuld, and was hurting other people in the compound. There was something wrong with her, I'm not exactly sure what it was. She was the one who mind-controlled a bunch of people at the festival... I don't think you were here for that.

Re: Voice reply - confused

[queenofgames]

No, I wasn't.

( voice | musing )

[thieveryofstars]

Well, there are others that can probably give you a more accurate recount of what happened, those that know the goddess sisters better than I do.

...

I wasn't sure I could pull it off, honestly. Not the stealing, that's easy. But making people believe I'd actually destroyed these things. I thought, someone's going to come asking. Maybe they'll think I wasn't in my right mind or... maybe think I'd did it under blackmail, anything.

But no one did. Fayt kept trusting me, and Selphie mostly, but for everyone else it was just easiest to assume it was all real. Even you, we were good friends and all I had to do was leave a little piece of scrap gold in place of that ring and you didn't even hesitate--

...

Well. People will be happy to get their things back.

Voice reply - between confused and grudging understanding

[queenofgames]

But I still don't understand. What was the reason for tricking Belldandy? Was it because she'd been hurting people? And what if she'd seen through your trick?

Re: Voice reply - between confused and grudging understanding

[thieveryofstars]

Limiters, Atem. Belldandy's power limiters. I took them as collateral on her supposed good will for my being "evil". I gave them to Fayt, hoping it would help stop her.

If she had, well... then I'd probably be dead right now. Which might've saved me some bruising and being a punching bag, honestly.

Voice reply - understanding, mixed in with a bit of worry, though she tries to hide it

[queenofgames]

Oh. Well, that makes sense.

You're very lucky. If she'd worked out what you were doing ... that bruising you got would've been nothing compared to the hurt you'd have gotten at her hands.

Just ... next time you want to try and pull something like that, be careful, please? You're still my friend.

( voice | calm )

[thieveryofstars]

I knew what I was doing... mostly

I wanted to help; you don't know what it's like working with the others, Atem. They're such good people and they can offer so much to help others. I just wanted to be able to be worthwhile too... all I had was to exploit that people don't trust me very deeply. The consequences of that are more than fair.

Voice reply - miffed and worried

[queenofgames]

Hey, I don't have much to offer the others either, but I ... well, put it this way, I wouldn't have used your method to prove my worth.

Look, I'm ... I'm just glad you're okay, that's all.

Re: Voice reply - miffed and worried

[thieveryofstars]

Well. It should be pretty obvious by now that I don't always think everything through before going for it.

Thank you.